"I haven't copped too much flak, I usually cop a little bit more when I'm wearing a Springbok jersey actually."
David Hillyard, of Auckland, has always liked a bit of cricket but he said he had never been this enthralled before.
"It's absolutely awesome what they've achieved. Win, draw, whatever happens today they've managed to do really, really well and make New Zealand proud."
Aron Prosch was rooting for South Africa and Richard Wright cheering for New Zealand, but it was hardly a straightforward decision for either man. Prosch, from Cape Town, has been in New Zealand since 2010 but his cricket support still lay largely with South Africa.
"It's kind of like my home sport."
Wright said he would do his utmost to balance his friend's fandom, but even his own support was split.
He moved to New Zealand from England 10 years ago and had backed the Black Caps all tournament.
Across town at the Fanzone in Britomart around 300 fans turned up to watch the game.
John Paranihi came on the ferry from his home on Waiheke.
"It's a real buzz," he said.
In Christchurch, the Pegasus Arms Restaurant and Bar was starting to fill up mid-afternoon with workers who managed to get off early.
Workmates and project managers Phil Marr, 39, and Ashley Gilmore, 42, were engrossed in the game.
"We've got a good boss - he's joining us shortly," said Mr Marr, decked out in his retro beige New Zealand cricket shirt.
"Who wouldn't let their guys go and watch this game," Mr Gilmore said.
"This is four years in the making. A semifinal. This is what New Zealand is all about."
Around 100 fans braved wind gusts in Wellington's Civic Square as the first ball was bowled. Many settled in on beanbags to watch the match.
Bars around the area were also filled with fans fixed to the screen.
Cricketitis - it's very catching
Calling in sick seemed to be the most common excuse for skiving off work to watch the cricket. It might not be the most original excuse but it was effective.
John from Wellington said he called in sick yesterday to watch the game. "I'm just hoping my boss doesn't have the same idea."
Sarah from Wellington also admitted fibbing to the boss about her health. "I do have a cold, but I probably could have made it to work."
A punter at the Pegasus Arms Restaurant and Bar in Christchurch, who didn't want to be named, told his boss he had a 3pm appointment on the other side of town.
"It's all come together nicely. Unless he walks through the door in the next hour or so ..."
Anna, watching the game at the fanzone in Auckland, was a little more upfront with her boss.
"I told him I wasn't coming in because I wanted to watch the cricket."
